CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(IMonog  raphe) 


ICMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(monographles) 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microraproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


1998 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes  /  Notes  techniques  et  bibllographiques 


The  InstKul*  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best  original 
copy  avanable  for  filnriing.  Features  of  this  copy  which 
may  be  bibliographically  unique,  which  may  alter  any  of 
the  images  in  the  reproduction,  or  which  may 
significantly  change  the  usual  method  of  filming  are 
checked  below. 


Et 


Coloured  covers  / 
Couveiture  de  couleur 


□  Covers  damaged  / 
Couverlure  endommag^e 

□  Covers  restored  and/or  laminated  / 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  peliicul^e 

Cover  title  missing  /  Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps  /  Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 


21 
El 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)  / 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations  / 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


□   Bound  with  other  n^ateriai  / 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Only  editton  available  / 
Seule  M'rtton  disponible 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion  along 
Interior  margin  /  La  reiiure  serr6e  peut  causer  de 
I'ombre  ou  de  la  distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge 
int^rieure. 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restorations  may  appear 
within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have  been 
omitted  from  filming  /  II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages 
blanches  ajouties  lors  d'une  restauration 
apparaissent  dans  le  texte,  mais,  lorsque  cela  ^tait 
possible,  ces  pages  n'ont  pas  ^\6  film^es. 

Additional  comments  / 
Commentaires  suppl6mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exemplaire  qu'il  lul  a 
M  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details  de  cet  exem- 
plaire qui  son!  peut-Atre  unk^ues  du  point  de  vu«  bibli- 
ograpNque,  qui  peuvent  modifier  une  Image  reproduHe, 
ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une  nrKKiificatton  dans  la  m^tho- 
de  normale  de  f  ilmage  sont  indk^uds  ci-dessous. 

I     1  Cotoured  pages/ Pages  de  couleur 

{     I  Pages  damaged/ Pages  endommagtes 

□  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated  / 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellk:ul*es 

0  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed  / 
Pages  dteoiories,  tachettes  ou  piqu6es 

I     1  Pages  detached/ Pages  d6tach6es 

[j/l  Showthrough/ Transparence 

□  Quality  of  print  varies  / 
Quality  In^gale  de  I'impresston 

Includes  supplementary  material  / 
Comprend  du  nnat^riel  suppl^mentaire 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata  slips, 
tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to  ensure  the  best 
possible  image  /  Les  pages  totalement  ou 
partiellement  obscurcles  par  un  feuillet  d'errata.  une 
pelure.  etc..  ont  6\6  film^es  k  nouveau  de  fa^on  h 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 

Opposing  pages  with  varying  colouration  or 
discolourations  are  filmed  twice  to  ensure  the  best 
possible  image  /  Les  pages  s'opposant  ayant  des 
colorations  variables  ou  des  decolorations  sont 
film^es  deux  fois  afin  d'obtenir  la  meilleure  image 
possible. 


D 
D 


D 


Thit  Item  Is  lilmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  cheeked  below  / 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  r<duction  indiqu*  ci-des:oui. 


10x 

14x 

18x 

22x 

26x 

30x 

v/ 

1 

12x 

16x 

20x 

24x 

28x 

32x 

The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'  exemplaire  fiinn^  fut  reproduit  grAce  k  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

BIbllotMqua  natlonala  du  Canada 


This  title  was  microfilmed  with  the  generous 
permission  of  the  rights  holder: 

The  Socloty  of  Auttwrs  as  the 
Literary  Ropresentetlvo  of  tha 
Estete  of  John  Nasofleld 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility  of 
the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the  filming 
contract  specifications. 

Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on  the 
last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impression,  or 
the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All  other  original 
copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the  first  page  with  a 
printed  or  illustrated  impression,  and  ending  on  the 
last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche  shall 
contain  the  symbol  -»(meaning  "CONTINUED"),  or 
the  symbol  ▼  (meaning  "END"),  whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed  begin- 
ning in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to  right  and 
top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as  required.  The 
following  diagrams  illustrate  the  method: 


Ce  titre  a  6\6  microfilm^  avec  I'aimable  autorisation 
du  d^tenteur  des  droits: 

The  Socloty  of  Authors  as  the 
Literary  Raprosontetlva  of  the 
Estete  of  John  Nasefleld 

Les  images  sulvantes  ont  6\6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et  de 
la  nettetd  de  I'exemplaire  U\m6,  et  en  conformity 
avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de  filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim^e  sont  film^s  en  commengant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
demidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte  d'im- 
pression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second  plat, 
selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires  origin- 
aux sont  film^s  en  commengant  par  la  premiere 
page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte  d'impression  ou 
d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par  la  derni^re  page 
qui  comporte  une  telle  empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
derni^re  image  de  chaque  microfiche,  selon  le  cas: 
le  symbols  -»  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le  symbols  V 
signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6tre 
filmds  ^  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents.  Lorsque 
le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  6tre  reproduit  en 
un  seul  cliche,  il  est  film6  k  partir  de  I'angle 
sup^rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  k  droite,  et  de  haut 
en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre  d  'images 
n^cessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants  illustrent  la 
m^thode. 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

MICROCOPV   nSOUITION   TBT  CHART 

(ANSI  and  ISO  TEST  CHART  No.  2) 


tim 

M2JB 

iim 

■^ 

UA 

|a2 

til. 

1^6 

itt 

■  4.0 

■  25 

[Z2 

2.0 


^    /APPLIED  IMAGE 


Inc 


16S3  East  Main  Street 

Rochester,  New  York        U609      USA 

(716)  +82  -  0300  -  Phone 

(716)  2M  -  M89  -  Fo« 


f^L  'We/UO. 


ROSAS 


jhg^yb^* 


THE  MACMILLAN  COMPANY 

mw  YOIIK  •   BOSTON  ■   CHICAGO  •   DALLAS 
ATLANTA  •  SAN  PliANCISCO 

MACMILLAN  &  CO.,  Limitid 

LONDON  •  BOMBAY  •  CALCIHTA 
MELBOURNB 

THK  MACMILLAN  CO.  OF  CANADA,  Ltd. 

TOXONTO 


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ROSAS 

JOHN  MASEFIELD 


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NEW    YORIC 

THE    MACMILLAN    COMPANY 

MDCCCCXVIII 


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Pll  kv 


161726 


corriuoHT,  191 8,  by  john  MAiinuD 

or  VT  AND  HINTXD.       PUBLMHID  AFBIl,   I918 


NORWOOD  MESS  1     J.   S.  GUSHING  COMPANY   •  BBRWICK  h  SMITH  CO. 
NOKWOOD,  MASS.,  W.8.A. 


ROSAS 


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ROSAS 


ROSAS 

There  was  an  old  lord  in  the  Argentine, 
Named  Rosas,  of  the  oldest  blood  in  Spain ; 
His  wife  was  the  proud  last  of  a  proud  line, 
She  ruled  his  house  for  him  and  farmed  his  plain 
They  had  one  child,  a  tameless  boy  called  John, 
Who  was  a  little  lad  a  century  gone. 

This  little  boy,  the  Rosas'  only  child, 

Was  not  like  other  children  of  his  age. 

His  body  seemed  a  trap  to  something  wild 

That  bit  the  trap-bars  bloody  in  his  rage. 

He  had  mad  eyes  which  glittered  and  were  grim ; 

Even  as  a  child  men  were  afraid  of  him. 


[9l 


ROSAS 


And  once,  when  old  Lord  Rosas  at  a  Fair 
Talked  with  his  friends,  this  little  boy  being  by, 
An  old  man  called  the  child  and  touched  his  hair. 
And  watched  the  wild  thing  trapping  in  his  eye. 
Then  bade  the  child  "Go  play,"  and  being  gone 
Wept  bitter  tears  in  sight  of  everyone. 

And  when  Lord  Rosas  asked  him,  why  he  cried, 

He  said  "Because  I  see,  round  that  child's  head, 

A  sign  of  evil  things  that  will  betide 

Through  him,  being  man.    There  is  a  blur  of  red, 

A  blur  of  blood,  a  devil,  at  his  side ; 

I  see  his  future.    That  was  why  I  cried. 


[10] 


ROSAS 


A 


I  am  an  old,  old  man  limping  to  death, 
And  many  a  wicked  thing  have  I  seen  done. 
Bloody  and  evil  as  the  Preacher  saith 
Are  ill  men's  dealings  underneath  the  sun. 
But  this  bright  child  is  fated  to  such  crime 
As  will  make  mark  a  bloody  smear  on  Time. 

So  he  went  weeping,  while  the  gossips  bade 
Lord  Rosas  not  to  heed  the  poor  old  loon. 
Lord  Rosas  died  soon  after  and  was  laid 
Deep  in  the  pit  where  all  lie  late  or  soon. 
Under  the  flagstone  in  the  chancel  dim 
Evil  and  happy  fate  were  one  to  him. 


[Ill 


ROSAS 


After  his  death,  his  widow  ruled  the  son 
Some  few  short  years ;  some  bitter  bouts  they  had ; 
That  old  hot  proud  un-understanding  one 
Roused  night  and  day  the  devil  in  the  lad, 
She  with  her  plans,  and  he  with  all  his  dreams 
Of  the  great  world  washed  by  the  ocean  streams. 


It  was  the  custom  in  that  outland  plain, 
That  young  men,  nobly  born,  should  serve  awhile 
Under  some  merchant,  keeping  store  for  gain, 
So  to  learn  commerce,  and  by  service  vile, 
Sweeping  the  floors,  to  sense  (with  gritted  teeth) 
Man  and  this  world  of  his  from  underneath, 


[12] 


ROSAS 


And  seeing  life,  because  those  merchants'  stores 
Were  clubs  and  markets  used  by  eveiyone 
For  plots  and  bargains  and  the  test  of  ores. 
Seiiora  Rosas  ordered  that  her  son 
Should  like  his  father,  enter,  being  of  age, 
A  country  storehouse  as  the  merchant's  page. 

"I  do  as  father  did  ?"  he  answered,  "I  ? 
Sweep  out  a  cheater*s  office  with  a  broom, 
And  peddle  sardines  ?    I  had  rather  die. 
While  there's  a  cow  to  brand  or  horse  to  groom 
I'll  be  a  man.     So  let  your  merchant  find 
Some  priest  or  eunuch  with  my  father's  mind." 


[13] 


ROSAS 

She  spoke  again.    He  said,  "  I  will  not  go." 
"Then,"  she  replied,  "My  son,  you  shall  not  eat, 
Nor  drink,  until  you  do.    You  tell  me.  No. 
A  resty  calf  that  quarrels  with  the  teat 
Shall  starve,  for  me.    Men,  lock  this  braggart  lad 
Into  his  room."    They  did  as  they  were  bade. 


J   \ 


They  left  him  in  his  room  all  through  the  day. 
With  neither  food  nor  drink;     they  asked  him 

thrice, 
"John,  here  is  dinner;  will  you  not  obey?" 
They  brought  him  raisin  biscuits  to  entice 
Him  to  obey.     His  friend  the  horse-herd  came. 
But  John  would  neither  answer  nor  be  tame. 


[i4l 


ROSAS 

When  twilight  fell,  his  mother  asked  again, 
"John,  be  advised,  be  wise  and  do  my  will. 
Why  be  so  headstrong,  giving  me  such  pain  ? 
Are  you  not  hungry  ?    There  is  dinner  still. 
Say  you  will  go,  then  come  and  eat  with  me." 
"I  won't,"  he  said.     "Then  you  may  starve," 
said  she. 


So  when  the  night  was  dark,  the  mot>  er  said, 
"Leave  him  to-night,  to-morrow  we      all  find 
His  fal-lals  cured  and  I  shall  be  obeyed. 
No  cure  like  hunger  to  a  stubborn  mind." 
Then  through  the  keyhole  to  her  son  she  cried 
"Goodnight,  my  son."     None  answered  from    in- 
side. 


[IS] 


ROdAS 

Then,  when  the  morning  came,  they  knocked  the 

door, 
"John,  will  you  go?",  they  asked.     No  answer 

came. 
One  said,  "  I  see  him  lying  on  the  floor. 
He  is  asleep  or  playing  at  some  game. 
Come,  Master  John,  don't  treat  our  lady  so. 
Look,  here  are  eggs,  be  good  and  say  you'll  go." 


No  answer  came,  so  then  they  craned,  and  peered 

Into  the  keyhole  at  the  room  beyond. 

"  Pray  God,"  said  one,  "  It  be  not  as  I  feared, 

A  lad  so  proud  should  never  be  in  bond. 

He  had  his  Indian  lance-head  on  the  shelf. 

John,  Master  John.     He  may  have  killed  himself. 


[i61 


iy 


ROSA  3 

John,  God,  he  has.    He*8  lying  on  the  floor. 

Look,  there's  his  body.     Fetch  the  crowbars  here. 

Yes,  he  is  dead,  God  help  us ;  burst  the  door, 

Run  for  a  doctor,  one.     A  dear,  a  dear. 

He  was  the  likeliest  lad  there  ever  was. 

Now,  Ramon,  heave.     Now  Martin,  now  Tomas. 

Heave."      \»  they  hove  and  entered  with  the 

heave ; 
What  they  had  thought  was  John  was  but  a  pile 
Of  clothing,  rolled  to  man's  shape  to  decei\re. 
John  was  not  there,  he  had  been  gone  awhile. 
His  bed  was  cold,  a  pencilled  letter  lay 
There  on  his  clothes,  but  John  had  run  away. 


[i7l 


n 


-I 


ROSAS 

"Dear  Mother,"  said  the  letter,  "You  and  I, 
With  different  souls  must  live  by  different  laws. 
I  give  back  all  you  gave  me,  now  goodbye. 
If  I  go  naked  hence,  you  know  the  cause. 
I  keep  my  father's  name.    When  I  am  gone 
I  shall  be  gone  forever.     I  am,  John.' 


It 


He  had  gone  naked  into  the  night  air. 

He  and  his  Mother  never  met  again. 

He   wandered    southwards,   many   leagues   from 

there. 

Past  the  last  ranches  to  the  Indian  plain, 

South  to  the  ranges  where  the  spirits  brood. 

To  daunt  wild  horses  for  his  livelihood. 

*  *  ♦  «  * 


Ii8] 


ROSAS 


rl 


There  on  the  ranges  with  a  half-wild  crew 

Of  Gauchos,  cut-throats,  thieves,  and  broken  rakes 

He  caught  and  broke  wild  horses.     There  he  knew 

Death  as  the  bloody  pay  of  all  mistakes. 

There,  in  the  Indian  forays  he  was  bred 

To  capture  colts  and  squaws  and  scalp  the  dead. 

There  he  got  strength  and  skill,  till  all  men  there, 
Even  the  Indians,  spoke  of  him  as  fey. 
He  beat  the  unbacked  stallion  from  his  mare. 
And  mounted  him,  and  made  the  beast  obey. 
And  bitted  him  and  broke,  and  rode  him  home 
Tame  as  a  gelding,  staring,  white  with  foam. 


[19I 


f 


\i 


ROSAS 

There  was  no  horse  so  wild  he  could  not  break  him 
By  hands  and  one  small  thong ;  no  Gaucho  brave 
Wrestling  him  naked,  knee  to  knee,  could  shake 

him. 
Or  in  the  knife  game  give  him  what  he  gave, 
Or  in  the  midnight's  thundering  cattle  hunt 
Pass  the  mad  herd,  like  him,  to  turn  their  front. 

But  most  of  all,  men  saw  him  take  the  lead 
In  war  time,  when  the  Indian  tribes  were  cat ; 
Then  he  paid  bloody  threat  by  bloody  deed. 
And  many  a  painted  Indian  in  his  clout 
Swung  from  the  oak-tree  branches  at  his  order. 
The  forays  ended  while  he  kept  the  Border. 


W 


I- 

i 


[20l 


ROSAS 


Then,  when  the  March  was  quiet,  he  became 
A  rancher  there,  and  wed,  and  gat  a  child, 
A  little  girl,  (Manuela  was  her  name). 
Then,  as  the  darling  of  that  frontier  wild, 
He  moved  and  ruled  and  glittered  and  was  grim 
Among  the  Gaucho  troops  who  worshipped  him. 


-3 


There  was  a  little  child  (an  old  man  now) 
Who  saw  him  pass  once  in  those  Indian  days, 
"Lean,  quick  and  cruel,  with  a  panther-brow 
And  wandering  eyes  that  glittered  to  a  blaze. 
Eyes  of  a  madman,  yet  you  knew  him  then 
The  one  man  there,  a  natural  king  of  men." 


[21] 


r 


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1*, 


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ROSAS 


And  cantering  with  him  rode  the  frontier  band 
Whooping  and  swearing  as  they  plied  the  quirt, 
The  thousand  rake-hells  of  the  South  Command 
With  tossing  bit-cups  bright  and  flying  dirt 
And  Rosas  far  in  front ;  his  long  red  cloak 
Streaming  like  flame  before  the  thunder  str  "'e. 


[22] 


1) 


ROSAS 


m 


There  were  two  parties  in  that  distant  state, 
The  Whites  and  Reds,  who,  for  long  years,  had 
filled 

The  lives  of  all  the  country  with  their  hate. 

The  graves  of  all  their  churchyards  with  their 

killed. 
There  was  no  White  or  Red  with  hands  not  brued 
Or  smutched  in  blood  in  that  old  party  feud. 


.1 


[2?1 


II 


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ROSAS 


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I      i 


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I* 


This  feud  made  havoc  in  the  land ;  yet  still 
Stopped  at  the  ranges  where  Lord  Rosas  rode, 
There  the  wild  Indians  were  enough  to  kill, 
Christians  were  friends,  men  held  the  common  code, 
"Death  to  the  Indians"  ;  but  within  the  pale 
Red  against  White  made  murder  an  old  tale. 

And  in  the  city  where  the  Senate  sat 

So  violent  this  bloody  quarrel  was 

That  men  stole  to  their  business  like  the  cat 

By  silent  streets  where  pavements  sprouted  grass, 

And  at  the  corners  crouched  with  stealthy  eyes. 

Peered,  and  drew  back,  or  flashed  upon  their  prize. 


I24I 


ROSAS 


This  state  of  daily  murder,  nightly  plot. 
Killing  and  burning  of  the  White  and  Red, 
Lasted  three  years,  till  in  the  land  was  not 
One  home  of  man  without  some  victim  dead ; 
Then,  in  the  guilty  Senate,  someone  sane 
Cried,  "Whites  and  Reds,  let  us  have  peace  again. 

This  quarrel  makes  us  beasts  in  the  world's  eyes. 
Anarchs  and  worse.    O  let  this  murder  end. 
Before  God  smites  us  down  to  make  us  wise, 
Let  us  forget  our  pride  and  condescend ; 
Forget  the  past,  and  let  some  leader  make 
Order  among  us  for  the  great  God's  sake." 


M 


[25] 


ROSAS 

Then  someone  said,  "What  leader?    What  man 

here 
Could  both  sides  trust  ?    All  here  are  Red  or  White. 
This  bloodshed  will  go  on  another  year, 
Or  ten  more  years,  until  we  Reds  requite 
Some  of  our  wrongs,  until  the  Whites  restore 
Their  bloodied  spoils ;  then  peace  comes ;  not  be- 
fore." 


n 


Then  there  was  tumult ;  but  the  first  took  heart, 
And  spoke  again,  "We  are  all  sick  with  blood. 
Let  be  old  sins  and  spoilings.     Let  us  start 
Another  page.    Have  done  with  flinging  mud. 
Bury  the  wicked  past.     Let  both  sides  strive, 
Since  both  sides  care,  to  save  this  land  alive." 


[26] 


■4.. 


ROSAS 


Then  an  old  White  began:     "We  Whites  have 

striven 
Against  injustice ;  not  for  lust  of  gain. 
You  Reds  no  less.    Now  in  the  name  of  Heaven 
Let  not  our  fellow  sufferer  plead  in  vain. 
Life  makes  us  neither  Red  nor  White,  but  men 
Self-bound  in  hell.     Let  wisdom  free  us  then  ?  " 

Then  the  first  speaker  answered,  "It  is  clear, 
Since  this  great  city  is  so  racked  with  feud, 
And  we  so  stained  v/ith  blood,  that  no  one  here 
Can  bring  back  quiet  to  the  multitude. 
All  here  have  taken  part.     Peace  cannot  come 
But  by  pure  hands,  into  this  devildom. 


T 


l»iH 


[27] 


ROSAS 


.  h 


What  I  propose  is,  that  wc  straightway  call 
Young  General  Rosas  and  the  South  Command 
(Men  of  no  clique,  but  trusted  soldiers  all) 
Here  to  make  peace,  that  so  this  groaning  land 
May,  with  the  help  of  one  whom  all  can  trust, 
Finish  with  feud  and  rise  up  from  the  dust." 

There  was  much  talking,  but  since  all  were  tired 

Of  murder  in  the  streets,  and  no  way  shewed 

Save  this,  to  bring  the  quiet  long-desired. 

It  was  decreed ;   and  so  a  horseman  rode 

To  summon  Rosas  north.     It  was  not  long 

Ere  Rosas  came,  with  troops,  a  thousand  strong. 


[281 


ROSAS 


1 


Then  Rosas  wrote  to  tell  them :  "I  have  come, 
I  and  my  men,  obeying  your  request ; 
I  shall  remain  until  the  morning  drum, 
Then  I  go  back,  unless  your  House  invest 
Me  with  the  absolute  command,  to  deal 
As  I  think  fit  to  save  the  Commonweal." 

Much  as  they  longed  for  peace,  this  bid  for  power 
Startled  the  House ;  they  cavilled ;  they  demurred. 
At  dawn  Lord  Rosas  wrote :  "In  one  more  hour 
I  return  South,  so  send  me  instant  word." 
"It  makes  him  King,"  they  thought,  yet  in  their 

lust 
For  party  vengeance,  all  agreed  they  must. 


If 

ij 


;1 


[29I 


li 


I 


V 


y 


ll  I 


'.  < 


(  » 


t 


ROSAS 

So,  with  both  parties  hoping  for  the  lives 

Of  all  their  foes,  through  Rosas,  there  was  calm, 

And  Reds  and  Whites  both  went  to  whet  their 

knives. 
Licking  their  lips  for  blood.    Without  a  qualm 
The  Senate  voted,  "Let  it  be  agreed 
That  Rosas  come" ;  and  so  it  was  decreed. 

So  Rosas  entered  in  and  took  command 

And  ruled  the  cit>  to  a  Roman  peace. 

For  three  long  days  the  cut-throats  in  his  band 

Killed  at  his  nod,  and  when  he  baJ  -  them  cease 

The  town  was  tame,  for  those  who  could  not  flee 

Were   killed  or  crushed.     "I   rule   henceforth," 

said  he. 

*  *  4>  *  * 

[30] 


B08AS 

So  Rosas  came  to  power.    Soon  his  hold 
Gripped  the  whole  land  as  though  it  were  a  horse. 
Church,  Money,  Law,  all  yielded.     He  controlled 
That  land's  wild  passions  with  his  wilder  force. 
And  through  their  tears  men  heard  from  time  to 
time 

His  slaves  at  worship  of  his  clever  crime. 

And  if  the  city,  terrified  to  awe. 
Loathed  him,  as  slaves  their  masters,  he  was  still 
The  Gaucho's  darling  captain ;  he  could  drav 
Their  hearts  at  pleasure  with  his  horseman's  skill. 
None  ever  rode  like  Rosas ;   none  but  he 
Could  speak  their  slang  or  knew  their  mystery. 


1  'if 


I 

.:Jii 


i 

r. 


[311 


ROSAS 


f        ( 


i     I' 


I  / 


I 


si 


J  h 


I 


So  that,  in  all  his  bloodiest  days,  a  crowd 
Of  Gauchos  hung  about  his  palace-gate, 
And  when  he  went  or  came  they  shouted  loud 
"Long  life  to  Captain  Rosas."    They  would  wait 
For  hours  to  catch  his  nod.    Their  patient  rags 
Were  brighter  to  his  soul  than  flowers  or  flags. 

And  with  this  Gaucho  power  he  ruled  his  slaves 
By  death  alone ;  within  his  audience  halls 
Stretched  end  to  end  on  Indian  lances'  staves, 
Were  long  red  streamers  propped  against  the  walls 
Crowned  by  these  words  "Death  to  the  Whites" ; 

but  he 
Dealt  death  to  Reds  and  Whites  impartially. 


«i) 


li 


[32] 


ik^s 


ROSAS 


i 


Death  V  15  his  god,  his  sword,  his  creed  of  power, 
Death  Was  Iiis  i,  lea  sure,  for  he  took  delight 
To  make  his  wife  and  daughter  shrink  and  cower 
By  tales  of  murder  wreaked  on  Red  or  White, 
And  while  these  women  trembled  and  turned  pale, 
He  shrieked  with  laughter  at  the  witty  tale. 

Those  two  alone  could  counter  Rosas'  will ; 
His  wife  and  daughter;   they  could  bend  his  mind 
To  mercy  (sometimes)  from  a  purposed  ill ; 
So,  when  his  heart  some  bloody  deed  designed, 
♦Vith  merry  cunning  he  would  order  one 
To  jail  those  women  till  the  deed  was  done. 


•if 

Hi 

'■; 

1  in 

I'll 


SI 


l;l 


[33l 


11. 


i 


ROSAS 


'  ' 


t-K     ( 


11 

\ 

n 

\ 

i 

j'. 

1 

-  i 

•f 

1: 

i  ^ 

1- 

iii 

■■  i 

1 

1 

1' 

\ 

s 

f 


r  I 


He  had  one  jest,  which  was,  to  bid  to  feast 
Someone  most  staid,  some  bishop  without  speck, 
Some  city-lord,  some  widow-soothing  priest. 
And  then  to  drop  red  fire-ants  down  his  neck ; 
Then,  as  his  victim  flinched  and  tried  to  hide 
His  pains.  Lord  Rosas  laughed  until  he  cried. 

He  held  no  Council ;  but  a  Gaucho  fool. 
Dressed  like  a  British  general,  played  the  clown 
About  the  palace,  and  was  used  to  rule. 
Vice-regent  for  him,  when  he  left  the  town. 
No  other  colleague  had  he,  but  at  hand 
He  kept  some  twelve,  his  chosen  murder-band. 


[34l 


ROSAS 


These  twelve  were  picked  young  nobles,  choicely 

bred, 
Sworn  in  a  gang,  the  Thugs  or  Gallowsbirds, 
A  club  of  Death,  of  which  he  was  the  head. 
That  saved  the  State  great  cost  in  lawyer*s  words ; 
Writs,  prosecutions,  bails,  defences,  pleas. 
Were  over-ruled  by  judges  such  as  these. 


For,  if  he  wished  a  person  killed,  he  bade 
The  victim  and  the  chosen  murderer  dine 
In  palace  with  him,  while  the  minstrels  played. 
And  he  was  host  and  joked  and  passed  th.^  wine. 
And  at  the  midnight  he  would  see  them  start 
Like  friends  for  home,  and  all  the  time  the  cart 


i  J 

I;! 


[3Sl 


';|l 


l¥ 


I 


I 

«ii  k 

■  I 

!l|  I 

1 1' 


[I 


>'( 


ROSAS 

Stcxxl  waiting  for  the  corpse  at  the  street-end. 
And  then  the  murderer,  warming  to  his  man 
In  the  dark  alley's  chill,  would  say,  "My  friend, 
I  love  this  talk,"  and  then  would  jerk  a  span 
Of  knife  into  his  throat  and  leave  him  dead ; 
Then  tell  the  dead-cart-gang  and  go  to  bed. 


Thus  Rosas  ruled ;   yet  still,  he  feared  the  Church 
That  outlasts  men,  so,  on  a  day,  he  cried 
"Martin,  our  patron  Saint,  shall  quit  his  perch; 
No  dirty  foreign  saint  shall  be  our  guide. 
Priests  of  those  churches  which  have  Martin's 

head 
Over  their  altars,  shall  put  mine  instead." 


136] 


ROSAS 


This  the  priests  did,  with  many  a  pious  phrase 
About  obedience.     When  the  deed  was  done 
His  haters  gave  up  hope.    They  could  not  raise 
Any  rebellion  against  such  an  one. 
He  was  like  god,  a  prying  god,  who  saw 
Even  in  their  souls  the  breakers  of  his  law. 


f. 


The  terror  of  his  rule  hung  like  a  ghost 
Thirsty  for  blood,  about  men's  haunted  minds. 
Those  who  dared  whisper  what  they  felt  were  lost ; 
He  ground  their  fortunes  as  the  miller  grinds ; 
And  in  their  hate  men  heard  the  Gauchos  sing 
"God-given  Rosas  is  indeed  a  king." 

*  ♦  ♦  *  ♦ 


'   i: 


t  -ll 


[37] 


I 


ROSAS 

There  was  a  soldier  in  the  city  there, 
Colonel  O'Gorman,  with  an  only  child, 
A  girl,  Camilla,  worshipped  everywhere 
For  merry  sweet  young  beauty  dear  and  wild. 
So  dear  and  merry  she  was  like  the  sun 
Shining  and  bringing  life  to  everyone. 

And  in  the  Bishop's  house,  there  lived  a  priest, 
The  Chaplain  Laurence,  who  was  sick  with  shame 
At  all  his  Church's  sitting  at  the  feast 
With  bloody-handed  men  who  went  and  came 
Unchecked,  unbraved,  condoned;     he  longed  to 

break 
With  such  a  Church,  for  his  religion's  sake. 

I38I 


I 


ROSAS 


But,  being  bent,  by  training,  to  obey, 

And  having  hope  and  an  appointed  task. 

He  held  his  tongue,  and  wrought,  and  went  his  way, 

And  hid  his  weary  heart  behind  a  mask. 

Though  it  was  hard.     As  City  Chaplain  he 

Was  widely  known  throughout  the  Bishop's  see. 

And  being  fond  of  music,  it  so  fell 

That  he  and  that  Camilla  sometimes  met 

In  quires  and  singing  places ;   ah,  too  well 

For  those  two  souls  their  red  and  white  was  set. 

For  love  went  winging  through  their  hearts,  and 

then 
What  else  could  matter  in  this  world  of  men  ? 


I'- 


«t- 


{  r 

I  ill 


[39I 


?     I 


ROSAS 

They  became  lovers,  but  by  secret  ways, 
With  single  words,  with  looks,  in  public  rooms, 
Among  a  world  of  spies,  in  a  great  blaze. 
They  hid  this  splendid  secret  of  their  dooms. 
Often  a  week  of  longing  had  to  end 
Without  one  word  or  look  from  friend  to  friend. 

So  months  of  passionate  trouble  passed  them  by 
Making  them  happy  with  intensest  pain 
That  brought  them  down  all  heaven  from  the  sky 
And  by  sharp  travail  made  them  born  again. 
Could  they  but  speak,  their  passionate  souls  made 

blind 
Trod  the  high  stars  in  the  eternal  mind. 


f      r 

i   n 


[40I 


i' 


ROSAS 


If 


Till,  in  the  Spring,  Camilla's  father  planned 
To  take  Camilla  to  the  country,  there 
(So  he  informed  her)  he  would  plight  her  hand 
To  young  Lord  Charies,  his  neighbour's  son  and 
heir; 

"For  it  is  time,  my  dear,  that  you  should  wed 
One  like  Don  Charles,  a  friend  and  lord,"  he  said. 

Yet,  seeing  white  dismay  upon  her  face. 
He  said,  "Be  calm;   the  wedding  cannot  be 
For  some  weeks  more;  you  have  a  little  grace. 
But  still,  to-morrow  you  must  start  with  me. 
For  you  must  meet  Lord  Charies,  and  come  to 
know 

Your  luck,  dear  child,  that  you  should  marry  so." 

[41  1 


I 


H 


iti 


i 


[A 
U 


ROSAS 


■^    i 


All  through  that  day  she  entertained  the  guests ; 
All  through  the  evening,  as  her  father's  slave, 
She  sang  and  played ;  but  when  men  sought  their 

rests, 
Even  as  the  thin  ghost  treads  the  church's  nave, 
She  crept  out  of  the  house  to  tell  her  man, 
Laurence,  her  loved  one,  of  her  father's  plan. 


She  reached  the  Bishop's  house  in  the  dead  night. 
Far  off,  the  dogs  barked ;  then  a  noise  of  bells 
Chimed,  and  the  abbey  quire  shewed  a  light 
Where  sleepy  monk  to  monk  the  office  tells. 
Lorenzo's  lamp  still  burned ;  he  paced  his  room ; 
His  shadow  like  a  great  bat  flitted  gloom. 

[42I 


*»    !< 


ROSAS 


There  she  stood  crouched.    Two  drunken  friends 
went  by 

Singing,  "I  feel  inclined."    She  drew  her  breath. 
All  the  bright  stars  were  merry  in  the  sky. 
She  called  to  Laurence,  then,  as  white  as  death. 
She  yearned  and  prayed.    His  feet  upon  the  stair 
Creaked,  a  bolt  clocked  and  then  her  man  was 
there. 


She  told  her  tale  (a  bitter  tale  to  both). 
Then  Laurence  said,  "Since  it  has  come  to  this. 
This  must  decide  me,  and  my  priestly  oath 
Must  now  be  broken.     I  have  done  amiss 
Loving  you  thus  in  secret ;  now  our  sin 
Must  front  the  worid ;  a  new  time  must  begin. 

(43  ] 


ij 
1^ 


I.* 


If   » 


.1 


» 


i:\  u 


R08A8 


I  have  long  known  that  such  a  break  would  come. 
I  cannot  longer  serve  this  Church  of  ours, 
That  sees  red  crime  committed  and  is  dumb, 
And  strows  an  atheist's  path  with  holy  flowers. 
We  two  will  fly,  to  start  another  life 
Far  from  this  wicked  town,  as  man  and  wife. 

And  if  the  life  be  hard,  it  still  will  be 
A  life  together,  and  our  own,  and  all 
That  life  can  offer  me  is  you  with  me. 
If  you  are  with  me,  let  what  may  befall." 
"I,  too,  say  that,"  Camilla  said,  "Where  two 
Love  to  the  depths,  what  evil  can  men  do  ?" 


I 


(44l 


i!  fi  ■ 


ROSAS 

They  looked  a  long  look  in  each  other's  eyes ; 
Then  hand  in  hand  they  put  aside  the  past, 
Father,  and  priestly  vows ;   for  love  is  wise, 
Love  plays  for  life,  love  stakes  upon  the  cast. 
Love  is  both  blind  and  brave,  love  only  knows 
Beauty  in  the  night  a  little  flame  that  blows. 

When  the  great  gates  were  opened,  and  the  carts 
Set  out  upon  the  road,  those  two  were  there 
Bound  for  the  West  with  quiet  in  their  hearts. 
The  beauty  on  them  made  the  carters  stare. 
There  in  the  West  they  taught  a  little  school; 
And  she  was  glad,  poor  soul,  and  he,  poor  fool. 


[45] 


I! 


i'\ 


I    .'I 


k 


'   Si 


n 


ROSAS 


This  flight,  being  known,  amused  the  town  awhile. 

Camilla's  father  raged  and  begged  that  both 

Might  be  arraigned,  she  for  unfilial  guile, 

He  for  the  breaking  of  his  priestly  oath. 

The  Bishop  sighed.  Lord  Rosas  laughed,  and  soon 

The  interest  died ;  it  did  not  live  a  moon. 


lo: 


But  in  a  neighbouring  state  some  men  there  were, 
Exiled  by  Rosas,  or  his  refugees. 
Who,  safe  but  starving,  lived  and  plotted  there. 
Losing  no  chance  of  working  him  disease ; 
These  heard  the  tale  and  in  their  hate  they  cried 
"Here  is  a  weapon  that  shall  bate  his  pride." 


W     i 


[46I 


)     1 


P»    '!    V 


l<     f 


Ir 


ROSAS 


So,  in  a  journal  printed  at  their  cost, 
They  wrote,  how  public  morals  had  decayed 
Since  Rosas  came,  how  the  land's  soul  was  lost, 
"Witness  this  priest  who  has  seduced  a  maid. 
Child  of  a  noble,  yet  is  not  pursued. 
Punished  nor  chid  by  lord  or  multitude. 

This,  (so  they  wrote)  is  only  due  to  him 
Whose  bloody  rule  defiles  the  suffering  land ; 
By  his  example  is  our  honour  dim, 
Church,  maiden  virtue,  nothing,  can  withstand 
His  power  for  evil.     By  this  single  crime 
The  world  will  know  us  rotting  in  our  slime." 


1! 

'i 


i 

i 


iif 


[471 


I 
fl 

h 
tl 


m. 


11 


'\ 


ROSAS 


This,  being  read,  was  quoted  far  and  wide 
In  many  lands,  with  many  details  more 
Of  this  rebelling  chaplain  and  his  bride, 
"Lord  Rosas'  shame,  the  country's  running  sore. 
Till,  having  walked  the  world,  the  story  came 
Back  to  Lord  Rosas  like  a  ravening  flame. 


tf 


p  m  \ 


* 


S  ^ 


r 
-i 


He,  who  had  laughed  to  hear  it,  foamed  with  rage 

To  see  it  counted  as  his  own  disgrace ; 

But,  having  read  it  through,  he  turned  the  page, 

Sighed,  as  though  sad,  and  with  a  smiling  face 

Called  on  the  Bishop  with  a  gift  of  gold 

"For  orphan  babes,  the  lamblings  of  your  fold." 


[48I 


ROSAS 


And,  as  his  way  was  when  he  chose,  his  talk 
Was  sweet  and  gentle,  and  the  Bishop  shewed 
His  English  lilies  flowering  in  the  walk. 
Which  Rosas  praised  :  the  Bishop  overflowed 
With  holy  joy  when  Rosas  deigned  to  say 
"O,  that  our  souls  might  be  as  white  as  they." 

Then,  after  vespers,  when  his  coach  was  called 
Lord  Rosas  said,  "About  this  erring  priest 
Your  chaplain  Laurence ;  you  are  doubtless  galled, 
Nay,  deeply  pained;     but  men  will  soon  have 

ceased 
To  mock  aboui  it ;  for  itself,  let  be  — 
But  they  are  both  so  young,  it  touches  me. 

"  [49I 


I 
II 


3 

"i 
'I 

i 

'It 

Iff 


M 


%.. 


I 


1 

I  I 


P    I 

11 

it    { 


ROSAS 

You  liked  the  lad?"     "All  like  him."    "And  the 

girl?" 
"All  loved  Camilla."    "Could  not  two  old  friends 
Help  two  young  souls  whose  hearts  are  in  a  whiri  ? 
Their  future  lives  may  make  complete  amends 
For  any  error  now,  if  you  and  I 
Help  them  in  this  their  trouble.     Shall  we  try  ?" 

The  Bishop  said,  that  he  was  deeply  touched 

To  hear  such  Christian  words,  that  he  would  strive 

To    reach    these    children    whom    mistakes    had 

smutched, 
"To  bring  them  peace  and  save  their  souls  alive." 
"I,  too,  will  strive,"  said  Rosas ;  "let  us  learn 
First,  where  they  are,  and  urge  them  to  return. 


in 


[so] 


s:» 


ROSAS 


Now  that  their  first  hour's  madness  must  be  over 
They  must  a  little  crave  for  what  was  life 
Before  their  fall,  and  hunger  to  recover 
Comrade  or  friend,  even  as  man  and  wife. 
Who  were  your  chaplain's  friends  before  the  fall  ?" 
A  priest,"  the  Bishop  said,  "from  Donegal. 


i* 


The  priest  Concannon  was  Lorenzo's  friend ; 

He  may  have  heard  where  they  have  pitched  their 

tent; 
He  lodges  in  the  parish  :  shall  I  send  ?" 
"No,  I  will  write,"  said  Rosas ;  so  he  went 
Home  to  his  palace,  and  in  little  space 
Concannon  was  before  him  face  to  face. 


I 


11 


i 


%i 


'♦I 

i 

Hi 


i 


ROSAS 


ii'l! 


And  what  with  wine  and  flattery  and  deceit 
He  turned  Concannon's  head  and  made  him  tell 
The  name  of  those  young  runaways*  retreat 
Where  they  taught  school  beneath  the  Mission 

bell. 
Lord  Rosas  said,  "When  they  return  to  town 
We  two  will  back  them  till  they  live  it  down." 

So  thinking  that  the  pair  were  now  forgiven, 
But  for  some  penance  and  a  reprimand, 
Concannon  left  him,  giving  thanks  to  heaven 
That  mercy's  spirit  governed  in  the  land. 
"They  will  return,"  he  said,  "and  wed,  and  make 
Amends  for  all  this  passion  of  mistake." 


[52I 


ROSAS 


But  when  he  left,  Lord  Rosas  called  his  guard 
To  gaol  his  daughter ;  then,  when  she  was  fast, 
He  sent  a  troop  of  ,  mcers  riding  hard 
To  seize  those  lovers ;  ere  the  night  was  past 
Those  two  poor  souls  on  whom  the  world  had  risen 
Were  chained  like  thieves  and  carted  to  a  prison. 


But  there  their  guardian,  seeing  their  estate, 
Two  gently  nurtured  souls  of  no  proved  crime, 
Knocked  off  their  irons,  and  let  women  wait 
On  poor  Camilla  who  was  near  her  time. 
He  lent  her  music,  and  with  fruit  and  flowers 
And  pleasant  talk  amused  some  bitter  hours. 


I 

I 


[53I 


f 

a 


§♦ 


ROSAS 


But  in  the  midnight,  as  he  slept,  there  came 
A  man  from  Rosas,  with  a  sealed  command 
Which  ra- ,  "Take  out  those  lovers  without  shame, 
Before  the  dawn,  and  shoot  them  out  of  hand. 
This  is  your  warrant.     Rosas."    This  he  read 
Shocked  to  the  heart,  but  tumbling  from  his  bed 

He  called  his  men  to  change  the  courier's  horse. 
Then  risking  place  and  life,  he  wrote  to  say 
"  I  have  your  Lordship's  order,  but  perforce 
Wait  confirmation,  ere  I  can  obey. 
These  two  are  boy  and  girl ;  You  cannot  mean 
To  kill  these  two,  whatever  they  have  been." 


I* 


[54l 


ROSAS 


He  sent  this  letter  to  his  lord,  and  then 
Took  horse  himself,  because  he  hoped  to  plead 
With  Rosas*  daughter,  for  full  many  men 
Had  wrought  that  gentle  soul  to  intercede 
For  them,  in  trouble ;  but  he  rode  in  vain ; 
She  was  imprisoned  and  he  lost  his  pain. 

But  writing  down  his  news,  he  bribed  her  guard 
To  carry  it  to  her;  they  took  the  bribe, 
Then  tore  his  note  and  flung  it  in  the  yard 
Under  his  eyes,  and  mocked  him  with  a  gibe. 
"No  messages  will  go  to  her,"  they  said, 
"Until  your  friend,  the  dirty  White,  is  dead." 


I 
t 

i 

if 


[55] 


m 


IL08A8 


When  this  had  failed,  he  bribed  a  man  to  bear 
A  letter  to  Lord  Rosas  in  his  room, 
Pleading  Camilla's  sute.    To  his  despair 
The  answer  came,  "Baptise  the  woman's  womb ; 
Let  her  drink  holy  water  and  then  die. 
Shoot  them  at  dawn,  or  hang  for  mutiny." 

One  of  the  Stranglers  Gang,  who  once  had  known 
Camilla's  father,  brought  this  final  word. 
Adding,  "Be  wise;  let  sleeping  dogs  alone. 
Do  as  he  bids,  for  it  would  be  absurd 
To  disobey,  it  could  not  save  the  two, 
Even  for  a  day,  and  he  would  murder  you." 


156] 


ROSAS 


So,  giving  up  all  hope,  he  took  his  horse; 
But,  as  he  rode,  another  scheme  seemed  fair, 
"Even  now,"  he  said,  "things  need  not  uke  their 

course ; 
Her  father  may  appeal,"  but  coming  there 
He  found  her  father  gone,  two  days  before, 
To  France  (they  told  him)  to  return  no  more. 

He  turned  away,  but  then,  one  other  chance 
Remained,  to  beg  the  Bishop  to  appeal ; 
But  some  great  suit  of  church  inheritance 
Had  taken  him  from  town.    The  whetted  steel 
Wanted  its  blood.    "So  they  must  die,"  he  cried. 
And  as  he  rode  he  felt  death  run  beside. 

[57] 


t.} 


ROSAS 


So,  in  the  dawn,  the  drummers  beat  the  call, 
And  those  poor  children,  wakened  to  be  killed. 
Were  taken  out  and  placed  against  a  wall 
Facing  the  soldiers ;  then  the  bell  was  stilled 
That  had  been  tolling,  and  a  minute's  space 
Was  given  for  their  farewells  and  last  embrace. 

And  Laurence  said,  "Camilla,  we  shall  be 

In  death  together.     In  some  other  life. 

If  not  in  this,  dear,  you  will  be  with  me. 

O  my  sweet  soul,  O  my  beloved  wife. 

You  come  to  this  through  me.    O  my  sweet  friend. 

My  love  has  brought  you  to  this  shameful  end." 


lS8l 


li 


KOBA8 


"Not  shameful,"  said  Camilla,  "All  I  did 
I  have  done  proudly.     As  I  have  begun. 
So  let  me  end.     What  human  laws  forbid 
By  love's  intenser  canon  we  have  done. 
Let  love's  intenser  purpose  heal  the  smart 
At  having  done  with  this  poor  timorous  heart. 

I  would  have  loved  this  little  child  in  me 
To  suck  my  breast  and  clap  its  little  hands, 
And  rest  its  little  body  on  my  knee. 
And  be  like  you ;  but  now  the  running  sands 
Come  to  an  end,  and  we  must  die,  my  own. 
So  be  it;  we  have  loved  unto  the  bone." 


[59] 


.a 
Ji 

f-  u 


ROSAS 


Then  hand  in  hand  they  faced  the  firing  squad 
Who  shot  them  dead  into  their  waiting  graves, 
Love  for  each  other  was  all  the  wealth  they  had, 
Love  that  atones,  the  steady  star  that  saves, 
Love  that,  when  shattering  bullets  broke  them 

blind. 
Lit  them  a  path  and  linked  them  mind  to  mind. 


[60] 


ROSAS 


When  the  dog's  pity  of  their  death  was  told, 
Lord  Rosas  straight  proclaimed,  "I  have  upheld 
This  country's  morals,  as  I  shall  uphold. 
There  they  lie  dead,  those  wicked  who  rebelled. 
I  have  made  pure  the  country's  spotted  fame." 
Th-^  country  read  the  story  and  was  Ume. 


I 


[61] 


'« 


ROSAS 


But  man  by  man,  they  crept  out  of  the  land 
Day  after  day,  till  there  were  thousands  fled 
Who  in  their  exile,  swore  them  to  a  band 
Not  to  return  save  over  Rosas  dead. 
Though  they  lodged  earthen  like  the  naked  worm 
This  tale  of  those  poor  lovers  kept  them  firm. 

Thousands  they  were  and  daily  they  increased 
With  arms  and  faith,  until  their  multitude 
Fell  on  Lord  Rosas  as  the  supping  east 
Falls  on  the  barrens  where  the  spirits  brood. 
They  came  resolved  to  kill  him  or  to  die, 
"  Remember  those  poor  lovers,"  was  their  cry. 


[62] 


ROSAS 

When  Rosas  heard  their  clamour  he  prepared 
His  Gaucho  lancers.     From  a  rolling  hill 
Outside  the  city,  all  the  plain  lies  bared, 
Cornfields,  and  waters  turning  many  a  mill, 
Cities  and  woodlands,  and  a  distance  dim ; 
There  Rosas  watched  his  Gauchos  fight  for  him. 

But  from  the  sworn  attackers  came  a  shout 

"Remember  those  poor  lovers,"  and  their  charge 

Scattered  the  Gaucho  lancers  in  a  rout. 

And  chased  their  remnants  to  the  river  marge. 

Then  Rosas  turned  his  horse  and  rode  alone 

To  some  mean  dockyard  where  he  was  not  known. 


[63I 


ROSAS 


There,  casting  loose  his  horse,  he  bought  a  coat 
Fit  for  a  sailor,  and  in  this  new  dress 
Shipped  as  a  seaman  in  a  cargo-boat 
Then  leaving  port,  for  England,  as  I  guess. 
There  on  her  deck  that  night  he  took  his  stand 
And  looked  his  last  upon  his  native  land. 

He  died  in  England  many  a  year  ago ; 

His  daughter,  too ;  both  lie  in  English  soil. 

They  say  that  great  moon-daisies  love  to  grow 

Over  Camilla,  and  with  loving  toil 

Soldiers  who  drill  there  train  the  rose-tree  boughs 

Over  the  daisies  on  their  narrow  house. 


IH] 


i   J 


ROSAS 

A  white  rose  on  Camilla  and  a  red 
Over  Don  Laurence,  and  the  branches  meet 
Mingling  their  many  blossoms  overhead 
Drawing  the  bees,  and  when  the  sun  is  sweet 
In  April  there,  the  little  children  lay 
"Gifts  for  the  pretty  lovers"  on  the  clay. 


Printed  « the  United  SUtet  <rf  Aawka. 

[6sJ 


J 


